The Parthenon - October 21, 2015

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 | VOL. 119 NO. 30 | MARSHALL UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER | marshallparthenon.com

INSIDE: NEWS, 2 >JOBAPOLOOZA >NEW SCHOLARSHIP >BOZ SCAGGS >BUTI YOGA EVENT

University-wide Unity Walk event appreciates diversity on campus Students participate in the Unity Walk Tuesday to show appreciation for diversity on campus. The walk took the group around the outside edge of campus.

MICHAEL BROWN | THE PARTHENON

Gilbert named 37th university president

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS CARRIE ZUBERER | FOR THE PARTHENON

SPORTS, 3

>COLUMN: FINAL HOMECOMING GAME >NEW TO HERD HOOPS

RICHARD CRANK | THE PARTHENON

OPINION, 4

>EDITORIAL: OBAMA’S VISIT FOR DRUG ISSUES >LETTER TO THE EDITOR AP PHOTO

LIFE!, 5

>MARSHALL STUDENT MISS W. VA. USA DESMOND GROVES | THE PARTHENON

JEROME GILBERT

SUBMITTED PHOTO

By ASHLEY SODOSKY

By MICHAEL BROWN

THE PARTHENON Marshall University had its annual Unity Walk Tuesday.

The Unity Walk brought students, faculty, staff, alumni, campus organizations, athletic teams and Greek organizations out to participate in the walk in a time when some citizens believe the country needs to see appreciation for diversity.

Groups started walking at the Rec Center and from there, participants walked on the outside of campus to the front of Old Main and then all met on the plaza of the Memorial Student Center.

Maurice Cooley, associate vice

president for intercultural affairs, said this is a time to embrace and celebrate our differences as brothers and sisters in the university while speaking to the crowd on the plaza.

Michael Gilliam, junior computer applications major, said he thinks it is important to hold events like the Unity Walk with everything that is going on in the country.

“It brings everyone together in a world where people are subliminally segregated against each other,” Gilliam said. “So just how everyone can come out together for one purpose as a whole is great to see. I think the Unity Walk is a great way Marshall exemplifies its

diversity as a university.”

After walking, participants took the opportunity to learn more about each group in attendance. A representative from each group came to the stage to give a 30-second speech.

Food was available for everyone who came out and a DJ was playing music to keep attendees entertained.

“I loved everyone’s enthusiasm.

Everyone who was there seems genuinely happy to be there,” said Alexis Tyson, sophomore finance major. “It gave a greater sense of community at Marshall.”

Michael Brown can be contacted at brown790@marshall.edu.

let people know,” Calwell said. “It isn’t a significant problem in the grand scheme of things, but it matters to us and it matters now and we want to change it.”

Some students said they have had negative experiences with the officers who come to the area to disperse the small crowds that gather outside the building.

Student Tehmihya Walker recalled an incident with police she said left a bad taste in her mouth.

“I was having a personal altercation with these guys who basically threatened to kill me,” Walker said. “Two cops on bikes approached and asked me to step away from them [the men], so I did. They started to argue with me, so I argued back. The officer told me to shut up, or he was going to taze me, so I stopped talking.”

Walker said the police continued to interrogate her, even after the incident had stopped. “They told me I needed to get off campus because I was smoking on the corner.

I complied and made my way to the middle of the street on Fifth Avenue, where there was no traffic and the cop threatened to taze me again if I didn’t get out of the street,” Walker said. “I walked off campus to finish smoking, then returned to the corner to calm myself down because I was very upset over what the cop said to me. I just wish I could still smoke or even hangout at the corner.”

Some students said they are worried they could lose a nice spot that means a lot to them.

“What scares me is that this could be shut down, taking away a great social spot for students,” student Corey Bond said. “The first week I came to Marshall, I thought ‘How am I going to make friends?’ If I wouldn’t have come to the corner, I wouldn’t have made the many friends I have today.”

Students cite confusing directions from police officers as one of the many worries they have regarding the corner. Student Hannah Nelson had been told contradictory information from an officer who was dispersing a crowd.

“The cops came about three times within the hour last night and told us to leave,” Nelson said. “I asked the officer ‘Where else could we go smoke or even hangout? This is a public area.’ The cops told us to go around back behind the building, literally on campus.

There’s no smoking on campus and yet he wants us to go there.”

When the protest began, Calwell said there were around 45 people participating.

“If they’re not going to come when there’s 45 people out here, I would be pretty surprised to see them come out when there’s the traditional 10 people out here,” Calwell said.

“We all saw the cops tonight several times make eye contact with us. I think we were pretty successful if we were able to send a message to the cops, keeping them away with this amount of people.”

Will Izzo can be contacted at izzo@ marshall.edu. Nick Morton can be contacted at morton45@marshall.edu.

STUDENTS GATHER TO CLAIM PUBLIC SPACE

By WILL IZZO and NICK MORTON

THE PARTHENON Protesters gathered outside of Twin Towers East over their right to use the space in front of the dorm.

Daniel Calwell, protest organizer, emphasized that the area was a public space. “There have been a few incidences with people hanging out at the corner, but they aren’t law violating incidences,” Calwell said. “Because it’s a public space, these incidences have to be treated as isolated incidences. You can’t just ban a public space because something bad happened there; it would be like going to Riverfront Park and just shutting it down because homeless people sleep there or because people sell drugs there.”

Calwell said he used fliers to spread word about the protest, but thinks word of mouth was the most effective way to let other students know about the gathering. “There’s a lot of people who sit at the corner and those people have a lot of friends, and I told them to

Students gather outside Towers East to protest what they deemed to be unfair treatment by law enforment, asking them not to gather at this area on 5th Avenue. The students said they pay enough to attend the university that they should be able to occupy the space. EMILY RICE | THE PARTHENON

THE PARTHENON Jerome A. “Jerry” Gilbert has been named the 37th president of Marshall University.

The Marshall University Board of Governors named the Mississippi State provost Marshall’s new president yesterday afternoon.

Gilbert, along with two other candidates, visited campus to participate in open forums with students, faculty, staff and members of the community last week. The final decision to choose Gilbert out of the three finalists was made by the Board of Governors in an executive decision.

Gilbert’s appointment will be reviewed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for final approval and pending approval from the commission, Gilbert will assume the presidency in January.

“What an honor it is to be asked to lead Marshall University,” Gilbert said. “I’ve been so impressed by everything I’ve learned and seen. This is such a wonderful opportunity. All the pieces are in place, fantastic facilities and great academic programs. We are in a position to be able to take Marshall University to another level of excellence and really advance as a major university.”

Gilbert is a Mississippi native with a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in biomedical engineering from Mississippi State and Duke University, respectively. Gilbert has served since 2010 as provost and executive vice president of Mississippi State. Prior to that, Gilbert was the university’s associate provost and associate vice president for academic affairs.

Gilbert’s prior work includes administrative and faculty positions at Mississippi State, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University.

Gilbert and his wife Leigh are parents to three children and grandparents to one granddaughter.

“It is difficult to express the overwhelming excitement that Leigh and I have in looking forward to being at Marshall and becoming part of the Huntington community,” Gilbert said. “I also want to express my sincere

See GILBERT | Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Career Services planning for the future

By BREON TAYLOR

THE PARTHENON Marshall University Career Services is hosting Jobapolooza Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Student Center.

Jennifer Brown, program manager for internships in Career Services helped put together this year’s fair. “We have 31 companies registered for the event,” Brown said.

Jobapolooza is a casual event and all students can attend regardless of major or class standing. “Some of the jobs that have registered for the event will be seasonal and some will be part time,” Brown said. “This gives students who only want to work in the summer a head start in finding a job for that particular season.”

“The biggest goal for the event will be to get a lot of people there to see what jobs are hiring in the area,” Brown said. “This will give students an opportunity to really see what they want to do with their careers.”

Students can gain connections and from there, network with companies around the area. “Whether it’s an internship or a part-time job, students can gain experience and skills in the work force,” Brown said.

Brown said she wants students to know about the event. Students in attendance can tweet using the hashtag “#jobapalooza” to spread the word to other students.

Companies attending Jobapolooza include Winterplace Ski Resort, the Target Corporation and Macy’s.

Breon Taylor can be contacted at taylor625@ marshall.edu.

| MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

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New C. Bosworth Johnson scholarship for School of Journalism and Mass Communications

By JOHN COLE GLOVER

THE PARTHENON Students in the College of Arts and Media will be able to apply for a scholarship in honor of the late C. Bosworth Johnson starting in spring of 2017.

Johnson was an assistant professor of journalism from 1976 to 1988 at the university.

Johnson, who passed away in 2014, served as an anchor and news director at WSAZ for 24 years before coming to teach at Marshall, where he became a local legend.

“Bos was a legend in this area when it comes to broadcast journalism,” said journalism professor Dan Hollis. “The scholarship can help to teach the next legends.”

The recipient of the scholarship must be in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Johnson was best known for his coverage of the Silver Bridge disaster in 1967 and the plane crash that claimed the lives of Marshall football players, coaches and boosters.

PRESIDENT

Continued from page 1 appreciation to the Board of Governors for the opportunity to serve at Marshall.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors and chairman of the Presidential Search Committee Michael G. Sellards said it is a pleasure to announce Gilbert’s presidency.

“This is an exciting new chapter for Marshall University and the board is thrilled to welcome him and his wife Leigh to our community and our university,” Sellards said.

“We have a world of opportunity ahead of us and our new president has the vision and experience to lead us there.

Today is a great day in the history of Marshall University.”

During the interview process Gilbert mentioned his ideas for some areas of growth for Marshall. Areas Gilbert wants to improve include

the engineering and medical departments of the university. Gilbert also expressed an importance of university athletics and said he believes students should always be at the center of decisions.

Marshall students are excited in welcoming Gilbert next semester. Senior public health student Zac Hill said he is excited for the new president.

“I think it’s awesome we finally have a permanent leader,” Hill said. “We have had strong leadership in the past and I am excited to see what he brings to Marshall.”

An event to introduce the Gilberts to the Marshall University community is being planned.

Ashley Sodosky can be contacted at sodosky@marshall.edu.

Welcome Marshall University’s 37th President, Jerome A. Gilbert

Johnson’s legacy continues with the scholarship and with his son Rob Johnson, who currently anchors for WSAZ. “As a broadcast instructor, he had the ability to convey television news mechanics, storytelling and newsroom protocol in the classroom,” said Chris Swindell, journalism professor and past student of Johnson. “He had the ability to make the classroom into the very real world that he was sending students into.”

Swindell said he hopes the scholarship can help a future student get the chance he and Johnson had, as well as the opportunity for students Johnson would want.

“I am trying to imitate his teaching style,” Swindell said. “Television news can be an angry place, but Bos never got mad.”

Johnson taught nationally known names in journalism, including NBC’s Roger O’Neill and ABC’s Bill Stewart.

Johnson received several awards during his lifetime, such as National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the West Virginia Associated Press Lifetime Achievement Award.

John Cole Glover can be contacted at glover39@marshall.edu.

Boz Scaggs performing at Keith Albee for Marshall Artists Series

By KALYN BORDMAN

THE PARTHENON The Marshall Artists Series is already underway, but some say their favorite act has yet to take the stage.

The Artists Series has already had country music artist Kacey Musgraves and the comedic relief of Anthony Jeselnik, but now, fans await singer Boz Scaggs as he prepares to perform Oct. 27.

Scaggs was a guitarist in the 1960’s and lead singer for The Steve Miller Band.

Scaggs has many Top 20 hits and his album “Silk Degrees” made it to No. 2 on the Billboard 200.

Scaggs has been performing for decades now and some fans say his music was very influential.

“Boz Scaggs changed the way I listened to music. I think it is great that he is coming to Huntington,” said

local business owner, Jimmy Wedge.

The Artists Series features performers who all fit a different genre. Representatives from the Artists Series believe this is a way to try to accommodate everyone’s tastes.

The series brings a lot of big names to Huntington, garnering a lot of excitement with each performance.

“I think that people are the most excited about Boz Scaggs this year,” said Angela Jones, director of marketing and external affairs for the Marshall Artists Series.

Scaggs is known for many different music genres such as blues, rock, R&B and jazz.

Some of his hit songs include “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle” and “What Can I Say.” “I’m at a point where I’m having a lot of fun with music, more than ever,” Scaggs

said in an interview with the Marshall Artists Series Magazine.

Scaggs’ new album “A Fool to Care” was released in the spring. The album features duets with Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams. Scaggs tours with his band and performs with Donald Fagen and Michael McDonald as The Dukes of September.

Scaggs, Fagen and McDonald perform their own music along with R&B and soul hits.

Scaggs is the third act of the Marshall Artists Series this season. Scaggs’ performance at the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse box office, or online at ticketmaster. com.

Kalyn Bordman can be contacted at bordman3@ marshall.edu.

Buti yoga offers new type of workout for students on campus

By CARRIE ZUBERER

THE PARTHENON Buti yoga has been on the rise on the Marshall University campus.

Buti yoga is a form of exercise that fuses together tribal dance, power yoga and plyometrics. Randi Greene, buti yoga instructor and Marshall alumna, has brought this form of movement to Huntington.

Greene is holding “Buti for the Boobies” Thursday at the Union Bar and Grill on 4th Avenue. It is $35 for the event. A t-shirt, prizes and a 60-minute buti class are included for the price of admission. Greene said she hopes the event can help bring awareness about breast cancer.

“It’s more than just a workout class, you know when people say they are going to workout class,” Greene said.

“When people talk about buti, we say it’s a movement. Its not just ‘Hey I’m going to work out.’ You’re part of a tribe and

you’re part of a sisterhood. I have seen it happen to many girls. Buti transforms them inside out.”

Buti yoga incorporates cardio, strength training and yoga. This form of exercise eliminates having to spend countless hours in the gym as well as finding time to fit all of forms of exercise into one week.

“Buti yoga combines that all into one work out,” Greene said. “You’re getting the yoga aspect, you’re getting tons of cardio and you’re getting your strength training all in one.”

Greene said many people who do buti yoga soon find themselves changing physically and emotionally.

“The transformation that happens is not only on the outside of the body but within. I have seen it so many times,” Greene said. “Women just gain so much confidence from the practice.”

Buti yoga is core orientated.

Bizzie Gold, creator of buti yoga, focused on the core and engaged it by using the spiral technique.

“The spiral technique is how we train our bodies. Instead of doing a linear up and down crunch, you’re really doing circle motions and it really tones you quickly,” Greene said.

Marshall added the class to the roster of free courses offered at the Rec Center for students and Rec members to try out. Buti yoga is Tuesdays from 7:15 to 8 p.m.

“No class is ever the same.

So each class that were doing there is a different flow and different sequencing and different music,” Greene said. “A lot of classes have to stick to a strict format, but we do not have a format. We are very open to create our own movements and flows, which is really fun.”

Carrie Zuberer can be contacted at zuberer@marshall. edu.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The “Buti for the Boobies” charity event will be at The Union Bar and Grill Thursday. page designed and edited by SARA RYAN| ryan57@marshall.edu

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 |

Marshall seniors prepare for final Homecoming game

By BRADLEY HELTZEL

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR As the Marshall University football team prepares for its Homecoming game against the University of North Texas Saturday at 3:30 p.m., the team’s 18 seniors will experience the event for the last time.

Head coach Doc Holliday said his veteran players have showcased a sense of accountability and a competitive attitude, which has elevated the program.

“We got a core group of older kids that have been through it and have taken ownership of the team,” Holliday said. “They hold all these young guys accountable for doing the right thing and getting themselves prepared to play. You get that kind of attitude with the group of kids we’ve had the last three years, and you got a chance to be pretty good. They won’t let us lose, those kids refuse to lose, and that’s a good thing.”

The collective senior class has made its mark on the Marshall program over the past three seasons with the Herd accumulating a 28-12 overall record, including bowl victories each of the past two seasons and a Conference USA Championship last season.

Several of this year’s seniors were integral components of last season’s success, such as running back Devon Johnson, linebacker D.J. Hunter and right tackle Clint Van Horn. Johnson ran for 1,767 yards and totaled 19 touchdowns last season, Hunter made 80 tackles and posted 5.5 sacks and Van Horn started all 14 games.

Johnson and Van Horn earned All-Conference USA first team selections last season, while all three players were named to this season’s preseason allconference squad.

Other senior members of the

McKelvey, for example, has emerged as the team’s leading tackler this season after overcoming ACL tears in 2012 and 2014. In addition to his production on the field, McKelvey said he’s become a vocal leader for

role on defense, totaling 27 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four batted balls and a fumble recovery for a touchdown this season.

Samuel said there will be a different sort of emotion on

when it was time to get serious, everybody locked in and got the game feeling going, so I don’t think its going to be any different.”

Senior wide receiver Deandre Reaves, who leads the team

Senior running back Remi Watson runs the ball against the University of Southern Mississippi Oct. 9. team also came into this season with experience such as guard Sebastian Johansson and safety Taj Letman who had started 25 and 27 games, respectively, in the previous two seasons.

However, several of the team’s seniors entered this season still seeking to make an impact on the program and make their names known throughout the team’s fan base.

Senior linebacker Evan

the defense as well in his final season.

“I’m just starting to breakdown every huddle now,” McKelvey said, “just getting everybody intense for the game because everybody needs a leader on the defense. The fact that I’m more outspoken now, I think everybody sees that and they want to go along with it.”

Senior nose tackle Jarquez Samuel has also taken a lead

Homecoming Saturday, but said the team dealt with a similar situation last week against Florida Atlantic University with several of the team’s players returning to their home state of Florida.

“I saw (the emotion) this past week,” Samuel said. “I think we handled that really well because all the families are down in Boca (Raton, Fla.). You got to hangout with the family, but

RICHARD CRANK | THE PARTHENON

in receiving yards and total yards, said with it already being Homecoming week, his final season is progressing faster than he might like.

“I kind of wish it would slow down a little,” Reaves said. “It has gone by way too fast, but it has been exciting. It’s a little bitter-sweet at the same time.”

Bradley Heltzel can be contacted at heltzel1@marshall. edu.

Marshall football seniors #3 Davonte Allen, Wide Receiver #5 Keith Baxter, Cornerback #88 Matt Cincotta, Longsnapper #68 Tom Collins, Guard #13 Armonze Daniel, Defensive End #93 Steve Dillon, Defensive Tackle #22 D.J. Hunter, Linebacker #71 Sebastian Johansson, Guard #47 Devon Johnson, Running Back #17 Taj Letman, Safety #31 Evan McKelvey, Linebacker #19 Deandre Reaves, Wide Reciver #94 Jarquez Samuel, Defensive Tackle #78 Clint Van Horn, Tackle #8 Remi Watson, Running Back #99 Ricardo Williams, Defensive Tackle #48 Tyler Williams, Punter #89 Joe Woodrum, Tight End

Browning amongst newcomers for Herd hoops this season

By ISHMAEL WITTEN

THE PARTHENON With a number of new players on the Marshall University men’s basketball team this season, Marshall basketball fans may have trouble learning the names of all the new players.

One name that’s already been surfacing is Stevie Browning. Having sat out last season after transferring from Fairmont State University, Browning is expected to have an instant impact for the Herd.

“I think he was overlooked and that’s the reason he wasn’t Division I,” head coach Dan D’Antoni said. “He’s athletic and can shoot the ball. He’s a typical West Virginian, so he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder and he’s going to bring that

Marshall will have nine new players on its roster this season.

PARTHENON FILE PHOTO

competitive edge to the team.”

Browning said his competitive nature didn’t come over night and said it’s always been a part of him.

Dating back to his high school years, Browning was one of the few freshman on a Logan High School team, which featured two future West Virginia University signees in Noah Cottrill and Paul Williamson, to contribute in its run to a state title.

Browning capped off his high school career by averaging 26 points per game to go along with nine rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-3 guard said he has noticed a few differences in the style of play moving from Division II to Division I,

MARSHALL MEN’S BASKETBALL NEWCOMERS FOR THE 2015-16 SEASON

NAME

POSITION

YEAR

HOMETOWN

PREVIOUS SCHOOL

STEVIE BROWNING

GUARD

JUNIOR

LOGAN, W.VA.

FAIRMONT STATE UNIVERSITY

JAMES KELLY

FORWARD

SENIOR

ANN ARBOR, MICH.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (FLA.)

TERRENCE THOMPSON

FORWARD

SOPHOMORE

DURHAM, N.C.

GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE

JON ELMORE

GUARD

SOPHOMORE

CHARLESTON W.VA.

VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE

JACOB KILGORE

FORWARD

FRESHMAN

HUNTINGTON, W.VA.

SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

CHRISTIAN THIENEMAN

FORWARD

FRESHMAN

LOUISVILLE, KY.

TRINITY HIGH SCHOOL

AJDIN PENAVA

FORWARD

FRESHMAN

SARAJEVO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

FIFTH HIGH SCHOOL

ALEKSANDAR DOZIC

FORWARD

FRESHMAN

PODGORCIA, MONTENEGRO

DON BOSCO PREP

NOAH FRAMPTON

GUARD

FRESHMAN

POCA, W.VA.

POCA HIGH SCHOOL

but said he’ll have no problem adjusting.

“The biggest difference is probably size,” Browning said.

“Everybody’s bigger, everybody’s taller but luckily last year I got my adjustment period so I should be good to go.”

After leading Fairmont State in scoring in the 2013-14 season, Browning said he has focused his attention on making Marshall better as a team and rebuilding the program since transferring.

Browning and the Herd will begin its regular season Nov. 19 against the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Ishmael Witten can be contacted at witten4@marshall.edu.

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Opinion

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| MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 |

EDITORIAL

The Parthenon, Marshall University’s student newspaper, is published by students Monday through Friday during the regular semester and Thursday during the summer. The editorial staff is responsible for news and editorial content.

JOCELYN GIBSON EXECUTIVE EDITOR gibson243@marshall.edu

MEGAN OSBORNE

SARA RYAN

MANAGING EDITOR osborne115@marshall.edu

NEWS EDITOR ryan57@marshall.edu

MALCOLM WALTON SHALEE ROGNEY SPORTS EDITOR walton47@marshall.edu

LIFE! EDITOR rogney@marshall.edu

BRADLEY HELTZEL

WILL IZZO

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR heltzel1@marshall.edu

COPY EDITOR izzo@marshall.edu

KAITLYN CLAY ONLINE EDITOR clay122@marshall.edu

EMILY RICE PHOTO EDITOR rice121@marshall.edu

DONYELLE MURRAY

MIKAELA KEENER

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER murray91@marshall.edu

ASSIGNMENT EDITOR keener31@marshall.edu

SANDY YORK FACULTY ADVISER sandy.york@marshall.edu

CONTACT US: 109 Communications Bldg.|Marshall University|One John Marshall Drive Huntington, West Virginia 25755|parthenon@marshall.edu|@MUParthenon

THE FIRST AMENDMENT

The Constitution of the United States of America

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble; and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

BE HERD: GUIDELINES FOR SENDING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Please keep letters to the editor at 300 words or fewer.

They must be saved in Microsoft Word and sent as an attachment. Longer letters may be used as guest columns at the editor’s discretion. Guest column status will not be given at the author’s request. All letters must be signed and include an address or phone number for confirmation. Letters may be edited for grammar, libelous statements, available space or factual errors. Compelling

letters that are posted on The Parthenon website, www. marshallparthenon.com, can be printed at the discretion of the editors.

The opinions expressed in the columns and letters do not necessarily represent the views of The Parthenon staff.

Please send news releases to the editors at parthenon@marshall.edu. Please keep in mind, letters are printed based on timeliness, newsworthiness and space.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

“If a student asks me if I think they should stay, rest assured my answer is going to be no.”

Mayor Williams and members of Huntington City Council: The recent increase in the Huntington City User Fee is a doubleedge sword for the city. It has the ability to do great good. We need that change to help elevate the city. However, applying the increase across the board may not have been the best solution.

There has been a push from the leadership of Huntington for graduating Marshall University and Mountwest Community & Technical College students to stay in West Virginia and Huntington and work. We don’t want to lose that strong talent to another city/state.

Many of these students qualify for Federal Assistance to attend and are granted Federal Work Study Monies. At Marshall, they are granted six to eight hours per week, at $8.00/hour. Taking $5 of their pay each week is about an average of 12 percent of their net pay. It leaves them with around $35/week for incidentals and other living expenses. I doubt anyone on City Council or the Mayor would be happy with that figure.

These aren’t the students who can afford high end luxuries.

Many are unable to afford to own a car or keep it on campus. They are working to be able to afford such necessities as toiletries, medication, clothing, making a trip home to visit family. This isn’t a trip to the movies, dinner at Savannah’s or golf at the Guyan.

What you have taken away is more than you have thought about or realized. You have looked at short term gain, but not considered the long term pain.

If a student asks me if I think they should stay, rest assured my answer is going to be no. Not that I want to see them go. I want them to do better for themselves, and live in a place where they will be treated fairly. Not a city that cuts into their earnings to the point they have to make decisions on whether to buy medication or soap because they can’t afford both due to the city user fee.

-Jonathan Sutton

Berkshire Hathaway Energy CEO Gregory Abel listens at right, as President Barack Obama meets with business leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington Monday. Obama met with the leaders from across the country to discuss the importance of efforts to tackle climate change.

PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS | AP PHOTO

Don’t make Obama’s visit about coal, focus on the bigger problem.

Wednesday is a big day for West Virginia. The state has been battling a serious drug problem for a long time and President Barack Obama has planned a visit to the Roosevelt Neighborhood Center in Charleston to help us strategize a way to deal with drugs and drug related issues.

However, some residents can’t get over their dislike of our current United States president long enough to recognize what a wonderful opportunity this is for us as a state.

The coal industry is failing, but it was going down with or without Obama and trying to blame him for our problems when he’s here to help us fix them isn’t going to get us anywhere.

The coal industry is definitely something we, as a state, need to address, but Obama’s visit isn’t the time or the place for it. It could be that all the West Virginians declaring on Facebook they are going to protest the president’s visit Wednesday are just a lot of talk and no action, but in the event anyone actually thinks that’s a good line of action to pursue, they should know how utterly ridiculous it really is.

Coal is huge and affects a lot of people, but does it really trump the fact that West Virginia’s heroin overdose deaths are nearly triple the national average of 13.4 deaths per 100,000 people. The Washington Times reported in June there were about 34 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 West Virginia residents from 201113. That’s insane.

That doesn’t even include the number of non-fatal overdoses, averaging 600 per year in West Virginia.

We need to do something about those numbers. Drugs aren’t the only thing killing West Virginia residents, but obviously we have a drug problem and coal has always been more of a problem than a solution, so let’s put it on the backburner and focus on the issue at hand.

Wednesday is the beginning of our opportunity to combat this drug problem, so be advised that is the priority — over coal, over personal dislike of the president, over disagreements on EPA regulations — the issue we are addressing Wednesday is our drug problem. If you don’t want to be part of that specific, constructive discussion, stay at home.

What does Twitter think?

SCREENSHOTS | TWITTER

page designed and edited by MEGAN OSBORNE | osborne115@marshall.edu

LIFE!

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015 |

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MARSHALLPARTHENON.COM

Marshall student crowned Miss West Virginia USA

SCREENSHOT FROM MISS WEST VIRGINIA FACEBOOK

DESMOND GROVES | THE PARTHENON

Nichole Greene was crowned Miss West Virginia Oct. 11. She will represent West Virginia in the Miss USA Nichole Greene is the first Marshall student to win the Miss West Virginia Pageant since 2009.

Pageant.

By DESMOND GROVES

THE PARTHENON Nichole Greene is a daughter of Marshall and was crowned this year's Miss West Virginia USA. Greene is from Charleston.

Greene will head to the Miss USA Pageant sometime next year, but for right now, wants to focus on school, her makeup line and her duties as Miss West Virginia USA. Greene is a senior double major in English literature and communications with a minor in history.

Greene is the first Marshall student to win this title since 2009. Greene said the moment was surreal.

“It felt like it happened so slow,” Greene said. “I was holding hands with one of my best friends who also does pageants. We’ve grown up together and we went to watch the Miss USA Pageant in Baton Rouge this past year, so if I had to be up there with anyone else I just couldn’t imagine anyone other than Lauren Roush. We were sitting there, holding hands and it was just the happiest, most surreal moment of my life.”

Greene is passionate about breast cancer awareness and promoting literacy. While holding her title, Greene said she wants to encourage others in multiple ways.

“I want to encourage others to read,” Greene said. “Something I can’t wait to get involved in is going to classrooms and reading to students. Anything like that I will love. Where it’s October and it's Breast Cancer Awareness month, I’m going to have a lot of appearances coming up. I’m going to galas and things like that just to raise awareness for breast cancer.”

Breast cancer is an issue that Greene is familiar with; Greene’s godmother was diagnosed with breast cancer over three and a half years ago.

“It’s something that just personally affected me and my family, but turned into something I’m really passionate about,” Greene said.

“I want to help women be aware and know how to do breast exams and be aware of their bodies and just really knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer so we can prevent it, because that is what ultimately saved my godmother’s life. I want to make sure women know about their bodies.”

The Miss USA pageant location hasn’t been

announced yet, but judging on pageants past, this year's location will most likely be relatively well-known.

“It just started, but I cannot wait to be on that stage,” Greene said. “I’m just kind of thinking right now of all the possibilities of what Miss USA is going to be like. What my dress is going to look like, who and where it’s going to be because we don’t even know a date or location yet, so I’m excited. WME/ IMG, one of the biggest modeling and talent agencies in the world bought Miss USA and the Miss Universe organization, so I’m really excited for changes and the new direction of Miss Universe and Miss USA is going to go.”

Greene gets to pick her

“West Virginia has a system called the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals, where all the different fairs and festivals from around the state come together,” Greene said.

“There are usually about 80 or 90 that compete to be the State Fair Queen or Miss West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals. So that’s what I started out in, competing in that for about five years, and I finally won on the fifth try and that is what kind of brought me to Miss West Virginia. I was Miss West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals in 2013, and I traveled 4,613 miles around the state and it really made me fall in love again with the state of West Virginia and really made me want to represent West Virginia on a na-

own clothes, which she said is about embracing yourself, your own personal style and projecting that style on the stage.

“There are certain designers that work in pageants like Sherry Hill, Mac Duggal, so I haven’t really decided yet,” Greene said. “The gown that I wore for Miss West Virginia USA was Sherry Hill. It was a green ball gown, which was kind of my own homage to Marshall and I think I might go in that direction, but I haven’t really decided yet because I’m still on cloud nine about Miss USA. But we will see.”

Greene has been competing in pageants since she was 13 years old. Greene’s first pageant victory was the Lewis County Fair Pageant.

tional level as Miss West Virginia USA.” Greene said she’s received an overwhelming amount of support not just from Huntington, but from all over the state.

“I was so, so happy to see people all over Facebook. People reached out to me all over the state welcoming me,” Greene said. “You never know what people are going to think or say, but everyone has been so nice and accommodating. I can’t wait to get these appearances in and really just be able to travel and see everything that West Virginia has to offer and really celebrate what makes us so unique as a state.”

Greene said she is ready for her journey to begin, and although she is an English

"We were sitting there, holding hands and it was just the happiest, most surreal moment of my life.”

-Nichole Greene

page designed and edited by SHALEE ROGNEY | rogney@marshall.edu

literature major, Greene said she is extremely passionate about makeup and being a makeup artist.

“I’ve done makeup my entire college career,” Greene said. “It’s actually how I paid for college and I will graduate debt free, which is really exciting. I do have my own business and I am a makeup artist full time, so what I would ultimately like to do is create my own cosmetic line. It sounds a little crazy, but I want it to be something all women can use, but specifically women who are battling breast cancer and going through breast cancer treatments.

My godmother, when she did have cancer, she lost her eyelashes, her hair and her eyebrows. Really everything that makes you feel feminine and beautiful as a woman, so I want women who are battling to feel normal. They can put a little blush on and put that lipstick on. Something like that, something that simple, but it gives you confidence to get through the day. That’s what I want my company to be about.”

Senior exercise physiology major at West Virginia University and titleholder of the Princeton Autumn Festival, Morgan Kesecker said she thinks Greene will represent West Virginia well.

“She will definitely put in the effort in going around our state and doing charitable events and being a great role model to others,” Kesecker said. “I’m happy because she’s worked hard the entire year and she’s a genuine person who truly deserves it.”

Greene said she wants to represent the state in the most positive way.

“Really, I just want to embrace everything this journey has to offer,” Greene said. “I have one year to be Miss West Virginia USA and I want to make the most of those 365 days.

I want to be approachable, someone that’s real so little girls can come up to me and feel like I am really listening and understanding them. I want to encourage West Virginians to embrace what it means to be a West Virginian. I think there are so many stereotypes and things that go against us as a culture and as a state, and I really want to break those stereotypes and let the world know that we are here and we are an awesome, extraordinary state.”

Desmond Groves can be contacted at groves53@marshall.edu.